Mobile communication devices and context-based geofence control methods thereof

Abstract

A mobile communication device including a positioning unit and a processing unit is provided. The processing unit provides position information of the mobile communication device. The processing unit detects an approach to a first geofence according to one or more contexts associated with the mobile communication device, turns off the positioning unit when not detecting the approach to the first geofence, and turns on the positioning unit when detecting the approach to the first geofence.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A mobile communication device, comprising:
 a positioning unit, configured to provide position information of the mobile communication device; and 
 a processing unit, configured to detect an approach to a first geofence according to at least one contexts associated with the mobile communication device, turn off the positioning unit when not detecting the approach to the first geofence, and turn on the positioning unit when detecting the approach to the first geofence, 
 wherein the contexts comprise at least one cellular context, at least one personal context, and at least one multimedia context, and the processing unit is further configured to prioritize at least one of the cellular contexts, the personal contexts, and the multimedia contexts over the other contexts, for detecting the approach to the first geofence. 
 
     
     
       2. The mobile communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is further configured to turn off the positioning unit when detecting that the mobile communication device has entered a second geofence according to one or more of the contexts. 
     
     
       3. The mobile communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the first geofence is associated with a predetermined spot or area, and the processing unit is further configured to perform a task when determining, via the positioning unit, that the mobile communication device has entered or left the first geofence, or approached the first geofence within a predetermined distance. 
     
     
       4. The mobile communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the first geofence is associated with a dynamically determined spot or area, and the processing unit is further configured to perform a task when determining, via the positioning unit, that the mobile communication device has approached the first geofence within a predetermined distance. 
     
     
       5. The mobile communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the cellular contexts comprise at least one of the following:
 an identity of a cell which the mobile communication device is currently camped on; and 
 an identity of a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) to which the cell belongs. 
 
     
     
       6. The mobile communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the personal contexts comprise at least one of the following:
 an operation mode of the mobile communication device, which indicates whether the mobile communication device is operating in a flight mode or a power-saving mode; 
 an event in a calendar application executed by the mobile communication device; and 
 mobility information of the mobile communication device, which indicates a moving speed of the mobile communication device. 
 
     
     
       7. The mobile communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the multimedia contexts comprise at least one of the following:
 an image in which at least one landmark is taken; 
 a radio broadcast in which at least one place name is announced; and 
 a video stream in which at least one landmark appears or at least one place name appears or is announced. 
 
     
     
       8. The mobile communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning unit comprises at least one of a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) module and a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) module. 
     
     
       9. A mobile communication device, comprising:
 a positioning unit, configured to provide position information of the mobile communication device; and 
 a processing unit, configured to detect an approach to a first geofence according to at least one contexts associated with the mobile communication device, turn off the positioning unit when not detecting the approach to the first geofence, and turn on the positioning unit when detecting the approach to the first geofence, 
 wherein the first geofence is associated with a position of another mobile communication device, and the processing unit is further configured to perform a task when determining, via the positioning unit, that the two mobile communication devices are approaching or moving away from each other within a predetermined distance. 
 
     
     
       10. A context-based geofence control method, executed by a mobile communication device comprising a positioning unit for providing position information of the mobile communication device, the context-based geofence control method comprising:
 detecting an approach to a first geofence according to at least one contexts associated with the mobile communication device; 
 turning off the positioning unit when not detecting the approach to the first geofence; 
 turning on the positioning unit when detecting the approach to the first geofence; 
 wherein the contexts comprise at least one cellular context, at least one personal context, and at least one multimedia context, and the processing unit is further configured to prioritize at least one of the cellular contexts, the personal contexts, and the multimedia contexts over the other contexts, for detecting the approach to the first geofence. 
 
     
     
       11. The context-based geofence control method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 turning off the positioning unit when detecting that the mobile communication device has entered a second geofence according to one or more of the contexts. 
 
     
     
       12. The context-based geofence control method of  claim 10 , wherein the first geofence is associated with a predetermined spot or area, and the context-based geofence control method further comprises:
 performing a task when determining, via the positioning unit, that the mobile communication device has entered or left the first geofence, or approached the first geofence within a predetermined distance. 
 
     
     
       13. The context-based geofence control method of  claim 10 , wherein the first geofence is associated with a dynamically determined spot or area, and the context-based geofence control method further comprises:
 performing a task when determining, via the positioning unit, that the mobile communication device has approached the first geofence within a predetermined distance. 
 
     
     
       14. The context-based geofence control method of  claim 10 , wherein the first geofence is associated with a position of another mobile communication device, and the context-based geofence control method further comprises:
 performing a task when determining, via the positioning unit, that the two mobile communication devices are approaching or moving away from each other within a predetermined distance. 
 
     
     
       15. The context-based geofence control method of  claim 10 , wherein the cellular contexts comprise at least one of the following:
 an identity of a cell which the mobile communication device is currently camped on; and 
 an identity of a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) to which the cell belongs. 
 
     
     
       16. The context-based geofence control method of  claim 10 , wherein the personal contexts comprise at least one of the following:
 an operation mode of the mobile communication device, which indicates whether the mobile communication device is operating in a flight mode or a power-saving mode; 
 an event of a calendar application executed by the mobile communication device; and 
 mobility information of the mobile communication device, which indicates a moving speed of the mobile communication device. 
 
     
     
       17. The context-based geofence control method of  claim 10 , wherein the multimedia contexts comprise at least one of the following:
 an image in which at least one landmark is taken; 
 a radio broadcast in which at least one place name is announced; and 
 a video stream in which at least one landmark appears or at least one place name appears or is announced. 
 
     
     
       18. The context-based geofence control method of  claim 10 , wherein the positioning unit comprises at least one of a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) module and a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) module.